Ford E-Series, 2008

 

 

•  Ford E-Series, 2008

The new 2008 Ford E-Series commercial van - America's best selling cargo vans, cutaways and passenger wagons - gets a major makeover inspired by the new F-Series Super Duty's bold new front-end design to communicate a list of chassis and suspension upgrades that increase capability and improve ride and handling. Safety and security is also improved with the addition of available traction control and features such as the advanced E-Guard Cargo Protection System, a segment exclusive, for added door-lock security.

Ford trucks are the trucks that America takes to work. In 2006, Ford posted a 40 percent share of the total commercial vehicle market for class 2 to class 7 trucks, up 1 whole percentage point from 2005. That means that nearly half of all of the commercial and fleet vehicles sold, from F-150 pickups to F-750 chassis cabs, wear the blue Ford oval.

Ford E-Series vans are used for a broad range of work, including transportation of large groups in passenger vans, goods and services deliveries in cargo vans (or wagons) and more specialized applications such as ambulances that are built from cutaway models. The common denominator is that each of these customers relies on their van's durability to conduct business, transport large groups or even save lives.

Ford's E-Series lineup is building on 28 straight years of leadership as sales are up eight percent in 2007, accounting for more than half of the full-size van market after taking 50 percent of the 350,000-van market in 2006. The dominant figures include about 65 percent share of the cutaway segment, including more than 90 percent of the ambulance business in this category. Ford also re-introduced the 6.0-liter Power Stroke diesel engine - a more fuel-efficient choice for ambulances that are constantly idling on standby - to the full-size van lineup.

The Ford E-Series has earned its reputation as the backbone of America's work force by consistently meeting customer needs, delivering capability, flexibility and dependability in an affordable vehicle.

Purposeful, functional design improves capability
The 2008 Ford E-Series now looks just as tough as it is. The new design, inspired by the 2008 Super Duty, features all new sheet metal from the A-pillars forward including hood, fenders, radiator support, grille and bumpers.

The larger grille isn't just a part of that bold statement. It also improves capability by increasing airflow to the powertrain. The grille sits on a sharp, horizontal line that defines the upper portion of the bumper and provides a base for the unique stacked, dual-beam headlamps. Base models come with a sharp, contrasting black bumper, grille and headlamp surrounds, while the high series feature an all-chrome treatment.

Up fitters, those who convert E-Series cutaways into motor homes, box vans, and a variety of other hard working vehicles, will be pleased to know the change in the 2008 E-Series attitude hasn't affected the vehicle's critical dimensions.

Power when you need it designed to meet your needs
The Ford E-Series is the only vehicle in its segment to offer a standard V-8. The E-150 and E-250 cargo vans come with a 4.6-liter TRITON V-8 engine and, new for the 2008 model year, the E-450 now comes standard with a 5.4-liter V-8.

The E-350 can opt for the 6.8-liter TRITON V-10 delivering segment-leading 305 horsepower and 420 ft.-lb. of torque. A 6.0-liter Power Stroke diesel that makes 305 horsepower and 420 ft.-lb. of torque is available on the E350 commercial cargo vans, E350 regular-length wagons and E350 and E450 cutaways.

Transmission choices include a 4-speed automatic with overdrive mated to the 4.6-liter and 5.4-liter engines in vans and wagons. On cutaways, the 5.4L, 6.8L gasoline and 6.0-liter diesel engines are mated to the 5-speed TorqShift automatic transmission with tow/haul mode.

When properly equipped, the E-150 Van can tow up to 7,500 pounds, the E-150 Wagon up to 7,100 pounds, and the E-350 Super Duty and Super Duty Extended Wagon up to 10,000 pounds each. An available Class II/III/IV Trailer Tow Package includes an electric brake controller with tap-in capability, a seven-pin trailer wiring harness with bumper bracket, and a relay system for backup and running lights.

A Power Take-Off Provision is optional on 6.8L cutaways and strip chassis with 158- and 176-in. wheelbases. It provides an access panel in the transmission housing to connect a PTO system.